Moment of truth
Will Pacquiao’s ‘immortality’ end in Malaysia?
KUALA LUMPUR: Will Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s journey to immortality end in this Malaysian capital city?
Can Argentine World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse see to that?
These questions will be answered on Sunday when the 39-year-old Pacquiao and Matthysse, who is four years his junior, collide head-on at Bukit Jalil Axiata Arena here.
The duo’s 12-round date is not only to decide who the next owner of the WBA version of the 147-pound belt will be, but what future awaits their respective careers.
At the official weigh-in held Saturday, Pacquiao tipped the scale at an ideal 146 pounds. Matthysse came in slightly heavier at 146.7, coming from a two-pound overweight a few days ago.
BATTLE IN KL Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse pose during the official weigh in at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AFP PHOTO
Record-wise, the Pambansang Kamao (national fist) looks to have the edge with his 68-fight experience — 59 wins (38 KOs), seven losses and a pair of draws. His 23 years as a prizefighter earned him the distinction as the only man in the history of sweet science to win world championships in eight weight classes.
Mathysse basks in the glory of having knocked out 36 of his 39 opponents in a 14-year pro-career, but the quality of his opponents — Viktor Potol, Ruslan Provodnikov, Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson Humberto Soto, Devon Alexander, DeMarcus Corley, Zab Judah and Vivian Harris — would pale in comparison to those of future Hall of Famers Pacquiao had conquered.
That roster includes the following names: Olympic gold medalist Oscar de la Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, David Diaz, Lehlo Ledwaba and Chachai Sasakul – the last eight on whose expense the Pacman took his featherweight, welterweight, super-welterweight, super-featherweight, junior-welterweight, lightweight, super-bantamweight and flyweight plums, respectively.
Has the Trelew, Chubut-born Matthysse been named Fighter of the Year even once by the American Boxing Writers Association of America? The answer is no.
The prestigious BWAA had chosen the Kibawe, Bukidnon native Fighter of the Year not once, but three times, in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He was also the association’s Fighter of the Decade awardee of 2000.
Besides marching victorious in boxing’s eight divisions, Manny is also the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight levels as well as the first fighter in history to win a major world title in four of the original weight categories, known as the “glamor” divisions — flyweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
Pacquiao has so far fought 23 world champions, winning 17 and losing six fights, one each to Timothy Bradley, Jeff Horn, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marquez, Erik Morales and Thai Medgoen Lukchopormasak.
He beat Bradley twice in their trilogy though; Morales, also twice in three meetings. The fighting senator owns a record of two wins, one loss (KO) and one draw against Marquez.
Others defeated by Pacquiao in world title bouts were Chri Algeiri, Brandonrios, Shane Mosley, Margarito, Joshua Clottey, Cotto, Hatton, de la Hoya, Dis, Barrera, Jorge Solis, Morales, Oscar Larios, Jorge Julio, Agapito Sanchez, Ledwaba and Chatchai Sasakul.
They’re all here
“I hope and pray that Manny wins, so I can have a happy birthday celebration.”
Thus declared Manny Pacquiao’s father Rosalio in halting Tagalog when chanced upon Friday by this writer at the Le Meridiene Hotel lobby, where members of the champ’s family, team, friends and supporters are billeted for his fight with Matthysse.
Rosalio will be celebrating his natal day on July 29. He invited all his children to Kuala Lumpur, not thinking about whether Manny wins or not in his comeback fight.
“Pupunta sila lahat sa bahay at siyempre mas masaya kung mananalo si Manny (Everyone from home will come here. Of course we’d be happy if Manny wins),” the old man said.
Asked whether his estranged wife, Dionisia, was also invited, Rosalio just smiled, saying, “Birthday ko `yun kaya lahat imbitado (It’s my birthday, everyone’s invited).”
Rosalio was separated from his family when Manny was in sixth grade. Dionisia, popularly known as “Mommy D,” discovered that the old man was secretly living with another woman.
Rosalio is here with new wife Alma and their lone son to watch Manny fight.
Mommy D is also here with new husband Michael Yamson, as well as Manny’s brothers Bobby and Congressman Roel, sister Sidra, and their families.
Also in KL in full force are Manny’s better half Jinkee and children Jimwell, Michael, Princess, Queenie and Israel.
Joining Jinkee in the trip are her sisters Haydee and Janet and husband Tibo, brothers Odoy and Dondon and their children.
Manny’s friends and congressional allies, meanwhile, have started to arrive in this Malaysian capital. Seen here were congressmen and long-time friends Toby Tiangco and Lito Atienza.
Also spotted was the director of the Bureau of Corrections, Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa. President Rodrigo Duterte will also watch the fight along with Manny’s allies in the Senate.
Go wishes Pacquiao good luck
President Duterte’s top aide on Saturday wished Pacquiao good luck on the eve of his bout with Matthysse.
In a statement, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he was confident Pacquiao would emerge victorious in his match with Matthysse for the world welterweight title.
“A fight of one is a fight of the whole country…Ang laban ni Manny ay laging laban para sa bansa. Binibigay niya ang kanyang buong lakas at tapang para maipakita sa mundo na ang Pilipino ay lumalaban hindi lang sa loob ng boxing ring kundi sa buhay (The fight of Manny is a fight for our country. He gives his full strength and might for the world to see that a Filipino is not only fighting inside the boxing ring but also for his life),” Go said.
Pacquiao is looking forward to having Duterte watch the fight. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was also invited. No sitting Philippine president has ever watched a Pacquiao match live.
“The Fight of Champions” set on Sunday features four world title bouts including a duel between unbeaten Filipino prospect Jhack Tepora and Mexico’s Edivaldo Ortega for the WBA featherweight belt.
WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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